Published May 21 2024
New LGBTQIA+ art piece to be unveiled at Paws & Pride event
The City of Bellevue is preparing to install its newest piece of public art and the first city-sponsored Pride street art — a creative pavement treatment at the south end of Downtown Park in celebration of Pride Month and in recognition of the city’s thriving and vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.
The piece, set to be formally introduced to the community at the Bellevue Downtown Association’s upcoming Paws & Pride Dog Jog & Walk event on June 1, was designed by local artist Esmeralda Vasquez. To be located at the intersection of Northeast First Street and 102nd Avenue Northeast, it will be the city’s first artist-commissioned creative pavement treatment and will be the largest of its kind in Bellevue.
“We believe that the diversity in our city is our strength, and this new artwork further underscores our dedication to embracing and supporting our LGBTQIA+ community,” said Mayor Lynne Robinson. “We hope this new addition to our streetscape will foster a sense of belonging, and remind everyone that Bellevue welcomes you.”
The new piece, titled “The Love Between,” features two large color-blocked hands in the colors of the bisexual flag positioned towards each other, as if they are each offering something to the other. Between the hands, a stem twists and flows through the center, representing the twists and turns that come with navigating life, especially as a queer individual. It is bordered by flowers following the order of the rainbow Pride flag and the colors of the trans and non-binary flags. Vasquez created the design after conducting research and community outreach.
Vasquez was selected as the artist for this project after an open call for local artists in October 2023. She is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist and muralist, and her experiences as a Latinx/LGBTQ artist from the Yakima Valley has inspired her drive to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
This new piece of art serves as a reminder that Bellevue is a place where people of all backgrounds can live, work and thrive without fear of discrimination. It is also part of the city’s ongoing efforts to create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and celebrated. Other efforts by the city include raising the Progress Pride flag during the month of June, the Diversity Advantage Initiative, the Bellevue Police Department’s Safe Place program, training for all staff on privilege and microaggressions, and many cultural events such as the recent art exhibition at city hall honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The Bellevue Downtown Association has an interview with the artist and details about the Paws & Pride Dog Jog & Walk, including how to register for it.